The pro-democracy Occupy protests last year divided Hong Kong and violence has become more frequent, Archbishop Paul Kwong said on Sunday.
“According to the findings of a recent survey, the world has been moving away from peace and has been drawn into more and more conflicts since 2007… Hong Kong is not exempt from this, as we have also become involved in various conflicts and disputes,” the Archbishop of the Anglican Church said in his Christmas message for this year.
“Our city has been divided and fragmented after the Occupy Movement and the dispute over political reform last year. When dealing with people and social issues, we begin to see a more frequent use of violent language and behaviours rather than mutual trust, tolerance, objectivity and rationality.”
The Archbishop ended his message by calling for an accepting and tolerant attitude, as it was the only way a society of mutual trust, mutual help and mutual love can be achieved, he said. “These elements are the most effective ways to resolve conflicts and killings out of hatred. After all, “Love is stronger than hatred and life triumphs over death.”
Paul Kwong has made controversial remarks in the past. Last year, he said that some of the protesters at the July First march joined out of a herd mentality. He also asked why the arrested demonstrators “didn’t bring their Filipino maids to the march,” Apple Daily reported.
